Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses reports of an imminent ceasefire deal, emphasizing that Hamas has consistently rejected all proposed agreements. He asserts that Israel has accepted multiple deals, but Hamas has refused each one, demanding the Israeli Defense Forces withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, a crucial border zone.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently refuted claims that a ceasefire deal with Hamas is nearing completion, stating that Hamas has repeatedly rejected every proposed agreement. In an interview on "Fox & Friends," Netanyahu stressed that Israel has agreed to multiple deals proposed by mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, only to see each deal fall apart due to Hamas's refusal.
"There's a story, a narrative out there that there's a deal out there ... that's just a false narrative," Netanyahu said, adding that Hamas has "consistently said no to every one of them." He highlighted that Hamas rejects all proposals, including the demilitarization of the Philadelphi Corridor, the exchange of hostages for imprisoned terrorists, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Netanyahu Denies Imminent Ceasefire Deal, Cites Hamas Rejections
Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas's goal is to expel Israel from Gaza and regain control of the territory. He accused the terrorist group of using the hostages as bargaining chips, attempting to smuggle them out of Gaza into Egypt and potentially into Iran or Yemen, where they would likely be lost forever.
The Prime Minister's comments come after The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu had prioritized an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) presence along the Philadelphi Corridor over the lives of remaining hostages in Gaza. However, Netanyahu vehemently denied this claim, lamenting the "horrible" condition of the six hostages who were killed by Hamas terrorists and expressing his condolences to their families.
Netanyahu Denies Imminent Ceasefire Deal, Cites Hamas Rejections
"We have worked so hard to get them out," Netanyahu insisted. "I made a deal a few months ago where we got more than half of our hostages out and more than half of the living hostages. And we're doing everything we can to get the remainder."
Netanyahu asserted that controlling the Philadelphi Corridor is crucial for ensuring the return of the remaining hostages and preventing Gaza from becoming an Iranian terror enclave. He argued that the corridor prevents weapons smuggling and hostage transfers, which could ultimately lead to the hostages being lost in Iran or Yemen.
Netanyahu Denies Imminent Ceasefire Deal, Cites Hamas Rejections
"So if you want to release the hostages and you want to make sure that Gaza doesn't pose a threat to Israel again, you've got to keep the Philadelphia corridor ... and that's what we're really doing right now," Netanyahu said.
